July 1. Wow! It seems this year is flying by and picking up speed!

The parts store was very enjoyable yesterday. We seemed to have a steady flow of customers in and out, and it seemed we had almost everything customers were looking for, or we had an alternative that would work.

Yesterday morning when I got up early, I was serenaded by a steady pitter patter of rain and the low rumble of thunder. By the time I left the house, it was raining heavier. On the commute, I drove in and out of extremely heavy thunderstorms. In fact a couple of times, I was running with the windshield wipers on high and I had to slow down to have adequate visibility.

It was a farm boys dream day!

All during the day, the rain teased the small community the parts store is located in.

While it never rained as heavily there as it did in Abilene and other areas, it was enough to lift the spirits of all the residents.

I have continued to read about Michael Jackson news. I am very intrigued by the Sony music library, which he owned fifty percent of. It's value has been reported to be as much as two billion dollars, while the lower end estimate the value between eight and nine hundred million dollars. I am also amazed at twenty million dollars of antique and collectible cars.

It has been reported the company promoting his July London Concerts advanced him twenty million dollars, which they will ask to be returned.

A co-worker at the parts store said he watched a segment of a news show where a reporter accompanied Jackson on a shopping spree and in twelve minutes Jackson spent over ten million dollars.

It seems that with each day that passes, there are more and more reports of drugs. I hope this proves to be wrong, but I don't think anyone is holding their breath.

There is a lot riding on the toxicology reports that will be coming out in the future.

The way I see it, the only people who are going to come out ahead are the lawyers. And they are already circling.

Remarkably, Jackson has averaged selling five hundred thousand albums or CD's, even when he has released no new music. Of course sales spiked after his death as his CD's vanished from store stock.

Yesterday it was reported that less than two weeks prior to his death he complete the "Dome Project". It is supposed to be the final video performance of his career, a 3D production that he had control over. Early leaks about it are that it is over the top and was to be a key backdrop in the London shows. Of course these leaks are anonymous, because everyone who contributed were required to sign confidentiality agreements.

I had lunch at Memama and Pepa's yesterday. Red beans, cornbread, german sausage and pan fried 'taters. What more could a guy want? Memama was really "on" with her pot of beans yesterday! They were excellent.

Jake and Lindsey also lunched with us. They have been keeping Jason and Christy's boys this week. The boys were participating in a pole vault camp at ACU Monday and Tuesday.

There was an article in today's Abilene Distorter about the camp training these vaulters in a swimming pool. The athletes can work on technique without worrying about falling. Pretty neat.

Krl seems to be having a pretty decent week with her trucks and drivers. I did get one "venting" phone call from her about the little super trucker. He had told us he wanted to get home on Friday and take next week off for vacation. He turned down a load yesterday, which doesn't make any sense to me.

About one more time and he will get turned out.

Two months ago, this man was an excellent driver. I don't know what has gotten into him. I don't know if he was hungrier and needing money and in response dedicated himself more. I do know his wife recently began employment, and that they have recently purchased a brand new pickup.

Their truck is nine years newer than my company ride and fifteen years newer than my personal truck. What's wrong with this picture.

As you can tell, The sand fairies took of early again tonight. I began waking prior to midnight. Finally my nap was out. So, I have my sidekicks, my computer and my television. That means I have been reading on-line newspapers, and watching TVLand. At the time Three's Company was in production I didn't realize how similar John Ritter's and Dick Van Dyke's acting was. Lots of falls and doors hitting them on the face.

My favorites still have to be MASH and Hogan's Heroes.

I know, that is pathetic.

Well tomorrow is Krl and my anniversary. Happy Anniversary dear! I took you to Chilis. That is an inside joke. For about four weeks I have asked her for a date night and she has declined, citing her aching back and foot. After a while a guy gets tired of asking.

Have a day!

FATHER, thank YOU. For YOUR love, for YOUR grace, and for YOUR endless stream of blessings!